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Smackdown: The real total, nonstop action
By
JON WALDMAN -- SLAM! Wrestling
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It's Smackdown!, UK-style tonight as the Friday night guys and gals headed
overseas this week for another enticing episode. With a main event we've never
seen before this should be intriguing to say the least, so let's head up to
the ring.
And that we do right off the top with a CM Punk promo. As always, a good heat-grabber
from Punk until R-Truth comes out, who himself delivers a pretty good speech.
This, naturally, leads to...
Match 1 - R-Truth vs. CM Punk
This was a longer match than we're used to seeing from Truth and he was certainly
up for the extended time in the ring. These two have some pretty good ring chemistry
and delivered a very solid bout, which hopefully will help raise the former
K-Kwik up the proverbial pecking order on SD! Punk ends up getting a cheap win
with the holding-the-ropes-roll-up, to ensure the feud continues.
Winner: CM Punk
Backstage, Mickie James and Layla have an encounter. More build here with the
"you're not wanted" storyline. I like how this is developing, and
I get the feeling this will help turn Beth Phoenix babyface, since she's also
a Raw alumna.
Match 2 - Natalya vs. Mickie James
Solid while it lasts. We get the inevitable distraction by Layla and Michelle
McCool which leads to Natalya getting the duke with the Sharpshooter.
Winner: Natalya
Post-match, the three SD! ladies beat down on Miss Mickie. Wait... is this
a storyline? For the Divas? Wow...
Up next is the Friday Night Delight, and as always, John Morrison delivers
solidly in speaking with Josh Matthews.
Drew McIntyre is next into the ring and promises this week to fight Finlay.
We shall see if he follows through on his word...
Match 3 - Drew McIntyre vs. Finlay
The match is barely getting hot before the shillelagh gets involved. McIntyre,
however, rests control of the international object away from Finlay and uses
it, harshly! McIntyre then walks from the ring, only to return and whack Finlay
again.
Winner: no contest
Next up is the contract signing between Batista and Rey Mysterio. After the
first one is signed, Dave brings out a second contract, which he asks Rey to
sign to ensure that Batista isn't sued over the beating Rey will get. Nice!
Mysterio reluctantly signs then turns the table... over on Big Dave. Bad move
Rey, really bad move.
Match 4- John Morrison vs. Dolph Ziggler (Intercontinental Title match)
We get the usual strong, lengthy bout between these two, which ends with one
of my favourite daredevil spots - both men fighting on the turnbuckle and spilling
off to the floor. The impact on both men causes a double count-out, which means
the awesomeness continues!
Winner: Double count-out
Match 5 - Beth Phoenix vs. Lisa Taylor
Third verse, same as the first. Just a little bit louder and a little bit worse.
Winner: Beth Phoenix
A Jericho backstage interview leads into our main event...
Match 6 -Undertaker vs. Chris Jericho
This was all we could've hoped it to be. It's just a shame that it happened
in the buildup to a weaker match than this one is. Too bad, because had this
been the PPV match I think there would've been more people buying in...
As is, we get a surprisingly clean finish, as 'Taker gets the duke with Hell's
Gate, reversing out of the Walls of Jericho. Great match, but hopefully this
isn't the only time these two mix it up one-on-one.
Winner: Undertaker
After the match, Big Show comes down to start the traditional beatdown. Kane
then comes out to save his brother.
We then close the show with Vince McMahon on the phone, telling Teddy Long
that it will be Jerishow vs. the Brothers of Destruction next week.
This was as good an episode of SD! as there has been since the days of the Smackdown
Six. Lots of long matches, great to-the-point promos and fantastic feud furthering.
See you in seven.
